11. Simon had amazed them with his magic tricks so long that the people became his followers.
12. But Philip told them the Good News about the kingdom of God and the power of Jesus Christ. Men and women believed Philip and were baptized.
13. Simon himself believed and was baptized. He stayed very close to Philip. When he saw the miracles and the very powerful things that Philip did, Simon was amazed.
14. The apostles were still in Jerusalem. They heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the word of God. So they sent Peter and John to them.
15. When Peter and John arrived, they prayed that the Samaritan believers might receive the Holy Spirit.
16. These people had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. But the Holy Spirit had not yet entered any of them.
17. Then, when the two apostles began laying their hands on the people, they received the Holy Spirit.
18. Simon saw that the Spirit was given to people when the apostles laid their hands on them. So he offered the apostles money.
19. He said, “Give me also this power so that when I lay my hands on a person, he will receive the Holy Spirit.”
20. Peter said to him, “You and your money should both be destroyed! You thought you could buy God’s gift with money.
21. You cannot share with us in this work. Your heart is not right before God.
22. Change your heart! Turn away from this evil thing you have done. Pray to the Lord. Maybe he will forgive you for thinking this.
23. I see that you are full of bitter jealousy and ruled by sin.”
24. Simon answered, “Both of you pray for me to the Lord. Pray that the things you have said will not happen to me!”
25. Then the two apostles told the people the things they had seen Jesus do. And after the apostles had given the message of the Lord, they went back to Jerusalem. On the way, they went through many Samaritan towns and preached the Good News to the people.
26. An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip. The angel said, “Get ready and go south. Go to the road that leads down to Gaza from Jerusalem—the desert road.”
27. So Philip got ready and went. On the road he saw a man from Ethiopia, a eunuch. He was an important officer in the service of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. He was responsible for taking care of all her money. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and
28. now he was on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot and reading from the book of Isaiah, the prophet.
29. The Spirit said to Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30. So Philip ran toward the chariot. He heard the man reading from Isaiah, the prophet. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”